Aims and objectives
DCE-MRI is an indispensable method for evaluating breast lesions and requires optimal tissue fat saturation (fatsat) [1-3].
This is often a challenge when using conventional fatsat techniques mainly due to insufficient and/or inhomogeneous fat signal suppression [4].
The Dixon technique relies on the acquisition of MRI signals at specific echo-times for which fat and water signals are in- and out-of-phase [5].
These signals are then used to calculate fat and water (fat suppressed) images.
In this study,
the Dixon technique was compared to the Spectral...
Methods and materials
Sixteen women with clinical indication for MRI breast examination (suspicious lesion/staging) were enrolled in the study.
Exclusion criteria included: prior chemo-,
radio- and/or hormone therapy; prior breast surgery and mammary implants.
Furthermore,
MRI examinations were done between the 7th and the 14th day of the menstrual cycle in the case of pre-menopausal women,
and not before than 8 days after needle biopsy if applicable.
MRI examinations were done in a 1.5T scanner (Magnetom Avanto,
Siemens) using a 14-channel breast coil.
The conventional breast MRI protocol...
Results
The sixteen women studied included nine benign lesions and seven malignant lesions.
The mean±standard deviation age of the overall group was 54.8±12.8 years old,
whilst for benign and malignant lesion groups were 47.4±8.2 and 64.1±11.8 years old,
respectively.
Qualitatively it was observed that the Dixon technique compares favorably to the SPAIR technique regarding overall fatsat quality (Figure and Table 1).
Namely,
more homogeneous fat suppression was obtained using water images,
as well as a better lesion and axillary region visualization was observed with this technique....
Conclusion
The results obtained in this study are consistent with prior studies regarding the improved performance of the Dixon technique over other fatsat techniques.
Dogan et al studied seven [2] and twenty [7] patients at 3T and qualitatively compared the performance of an axial single-pass FSPGR two-point Dixon sequence and a 3D FSPRG spectrally selective fat suppression (SS-FS) gradient echo sequence regarding application to DCE-MRI.
They observed that the Dixon technique showed significantly improved fat saturation homogeneity,
better quality of posterior anatomical structures,
and decreased artifact...
References
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M.
et al.
Fat Suppression Strategies in Enhanced MR Imaging of the Breast: Comparison of SPIR and Water Excitation Sequences.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
2003; 18: 310-314.
[2] Dogan,
B.
et al.
3T Breast MRI using DIxon technique.
Proceedings of the International Conference of the Soc.
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Reson.
Med 2009; 17: 4243.
[3] Lin,
C.
et al.
Quantitative Evaluations of Fat Suppression Techniques for Breast MRI at 3T.
Proceedings of the International Conference of the Soc.
Mag.
Reson.
Med 2009; 17: 4543....